5 Binn. 332 | Pa. | 1812
Lead Opinion
This is a motion on behalf of the bail of the defendant, for an exoneretur to be entered on the bail piece, on the ground of the principal having been discharged from his debts, by virtue of an act of assembly of the state of Maryland.
Several objections have been made to this motion by the plaintiff’s counsel; the first of which is, that it is too late, the bail having been previously fixed by the return of non est inventus to a ca. sa. against the principal. In support of this was cited the case of Woolley v. Cobb, 1 Burr. 244. Lord Mansfield, in delivering his opinion, does indeed say, that if the bail are fixed before a certificate of bankrupt is obtained by the principal, they remain liable. It is to be remarked however, that in that case there had been judgment against the bail, and a fi. fa. issued and the money levied, and in the sheriff’s hands, before the certificate was obtained. Under those circumstances, the bail had no pretence for relief. But if Lord Mansfield meant to lay it down as a rule, that the bail remained liable in case the principal obtained his certificate after the return of a non est inventus, and before the time allowed for surrendering him had expired, he has been contradicted by subsequent cases, as appears by the authorities cited in Orcott v. Lilly in the Supreme Court of New York, 4 Johns. 407. A ca. sa. having been returned non est inventus, the bail is so far fixed, that he remains liable, unless the body of the prinpal is surrendered within the time allowed ex gratia, by, the practice of the court. If the .principal dies there is no relief. But if he becomes intitled by law to a discharge from imprisonment, an exoneretur will be entered without an actual surrender, on application at any time within the period allowed for surrender; because it answers no purpose to surrender a person who is intitled to au immediate discharge. This is the settled law in New York, and it is so reasonable, that I fully concur in it. In the case before us, the motion was made before the return of the sci. fa. against the bail. It was therefore in time.
2. The second objection goes to the law of Maryland, by which the defendant was discharged from his debts, on executing a conveyance of all his estate in 'trust for his creditors. It is contended that this debt, having been contracted in the city of Washington, the legislature of Maryland had no control over it. Were it a new case, I should think it well worthy of
Millar v. Hall in January Term 1788, led the way to exonereturs being entered on the bail piece, where the defendant bad been discharged under an insolvent law of the state of Maryland, which w,as in the nature of a general bankrupt law. It was the policy of that state not to pass a general insolvent law, but to enact special insolvent statutes, as
I am therefore of opinion that the exoneretur should be entered.
Concurrence Opinion
I concur in allowing the motion, solely on the ground of the stare decisis.
Motion granted.